$10,230

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Ready, Set...LAUNCH!

I also debuted the first dress from my "Joint Dress Initiative" Collection. This a little girl's line for a collaborative charity venture with the Dress A Girl Around the World foundation. The project focuses on delivering clothing to poverty-stricken families around the world, the homeless and abuse shelters. Click to learn more.

We received an amazing response to the debut!!

It got lots of media attention, gained supporters and fans, and created interest in the brand for buyers, editors, consumers and the fashion world in general!

Now that I've gotten through 'Phase I', it's time to get the line out there and begin Phase II: "PROJECT: LAUNCH." Essentially, this is pre-production and the beginning stage of eventually making this an official brand that will be available on store floors to consumers like you!

Me, Rihanna and "Styled to Rock"

I was recently selected to be on an unprecedented new series called "Styled to Rock" put on by Bravo TV and Rihanna. That's world re-known, mega-superstar, pop ICON Rihanna. Check it out Fridays nights starting October 25th!

Not only was the opportunity thrilling and SUPER EXCITING (!) but it was such an honor to be handpicked by Rihanna to be on the show (read more in my FULL BIO). On the momentum of the show, I found the incentive to finally get from behind the scenes to start a line of my own.

You've probably already worn my designs.

Over the last 16+ years that I've been in the industry I have done design work for many major brands, some include: Juicy Couture, DKNY, CK Jeans, The Gap, Levi's, Victoria's Secret, Felina Lingerie and Babyphat. My clothing designs for other companies have sold not just nationally, but in stores all over the world. My design work has been in magazines, online, shown at fashion week, on TV and worn by celebrities. Most of you have probably seen, and many of you have even worn a lot of my designs already!

Feminine. Contemporary. Cool.

The line is a contemporary womenswear line currently featuring dressy casuals, trendy daytime looks, cocktail wear and evening wear pieces, with plans to extend the line as we grow. My signature includes forward-thinking fashion, play with texture/fabric mixing, flattering shapes, novelty styling and attention to detail. I am a former high-end lingerie designer, and those influences can be seen in several of my pieces. I tend to play off contrast, not just in fabrics and color, but design ideas in general.

My background as a designer for large corporations helps me to keep a sense of wearability while maintaining innovation and creativity. My aesthetic is feminine, contemporary cool.

I design for the woman who LOVES being a woman.

There are five main elements I focus on when I design:

Fit

Fabric

Function

Femininity

Flattery

My current line was inspired by the bold fearless female. There's a balanced contrast of masculinity and femininity, conservative restraint and seductive edge, and glamour and wearability. The prints are both graphic and abstract. The color palette is neutral with splashes of pop. There's a very definite element of sex appeal.

The customer I design for is confident, memorable and has a distinct inner strength and visible class that she carries with her daily. She can be a mother, a manager, a CEO, a teacher, a college student, a rockstar or a socialite. She can work a sneaker just like she can work a stiletto, but inside and out, she is ALL woman.

"Phase II: LAUNCH" (aka Pre-Production) (aka Duplicating the line):

The next step in this process is pre-production and I am enlisting Kickstarter to help. This step involves getting the line out to editors, stylists, buyers and eventually to the consumers. To get to this step, we must first duplicate the line (3 samples of each item in the collection). While we already have patterns waiting and ready to go, we need to grade the patterns (make them in different sizes) and duplicate the samples to send out to editors and stylists and/or show to buyers.

This Kickstarter project will help me cover costs such as:

Extending the line with more wearable and versatile mix and match pieces

Digitizing/Grading Patterns

Fabric/Trim/Materials

Transporting/Shipping

Showroom Space

Web Design

Lookbook

PR/Marketing Supplies

Venue/Studio Rental

Equipment

Photoshoots

Once the line has been duplicated, we can get it into out to editors, magazines and celebs which gives it exposure and gets it seen all over the world. Most importantly, we will then be able to show it to buyers, which leads to getting orders and ultimately going into production.

Once the line goes into production it's only a matter of time before it's available in stores and boutiques near you!

If you have any questions or just want to say "Hi" email me at design@ebonywhitenyc.com :) After you donate to further support please share my video, and follow and like you can find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Thank you!!!!!

Risks and challenges

I have worked many years in this business and one of the first things I learned is to listen to the consumer. In the fashion industry it's important to keep the consumer interested. In this day and age social media opens up a channel for that very purpose that the fashion industry hasn't had before. I plan to keep an open dialogue with my supporters and create interest in the brand through transparency, engaging interaction and feedback, social networking and innovative marketing.

FAQ

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Select this reward

Pledge $25 or more
About $25

“The Every Little Bit Helps” package: We appreciate your support! Join our community to get special updates on when the line becomes available and a thank you announcement of your support on our Twitter and Facebook pages. Thank you!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $50 or more
About $50

“The Noble” package: You will receive a limited edition 8x10 autographed print of selected fashion illustrations from the debut collection by artist Kirsten Kramer. These breathtaking drawings are hand sketched and ready to be framed for your very stylish wall!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $100 or more
About $100

“The Aficionado” package: You will be officially listed as a supporter on our website (you'll kind of be a BIG DEAL). Show off to your friends how you are a major player in the game of high fashion (by pointing them to our website www.ebonywhitenyc.com and saying "See I told you I'm a MAJOR player in the game of fashion!") PLUS you will receive an 11x14 gorgeous editorial black and white photo from Class New York, shot by famed photographer Cyle Suez. This image is autographed and ready to be framed for your wall. It is a truly stunning piece of work and the designer has one very similar hanging on a wall in her home.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $250 or more
About $250

“The U-Shirt” Early bird package: Seriously. Like one of the coolest prizes. EVER. You will receive a tee shirt that is actually a "U" shirt, because it will feature a fashion sketch IN YOUR LIKENESS in a design from the debut collection. That's right! You will receive a fashion sketch that looks like you, (you sexy thing) on a really cool tee. This prize is limited in quantity so get it while the gettin's good!!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $250 or more
About $250

JUST ADDED!! You will receive a very stylish, sleek and comfortable tee featuring original graphic art by Ebony White with a (small and stylish) logo to show you supported the launch of this the line. These are limited edition "art" tees, and you will be the first of only a few to own one! Available and appropriate in male and female versions. You will get to choose 1 of 5 pieces of original graphic art.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $500 or more
About $500

“The Urbane” (aka "Size Matters") package: You will receive a 24x30... that's BIG...version of the gorgeous editorial black and white photo from Class New York, shot by famed photographer Cyle Suez, autographed and ready to be framed for your wall. This is a truly stunning piece of work, and the designer has one exactly like it hanging in her home. It is definitely an attention grabbing conversation starter!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,000 or more
About $1,000

“The Jetsetter” package: You will receive 2 tickets to a screening party that includes a private viewing of the debut collection, a short film documentary on the designer and an intimate question and answer session after the film. Mix, mingle, sip and hors d'oeuvre with the designer and the models at our own private party in the Big Apple! Travel to New York not included.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $2,500 or more
About $2,500

“The Cosmopolitan” package: You've hit the BIG TIME!! You will have a very stylish lunch with the designer and her muse in one of the designer's favorite restaurants in the trendy Meatpacking District. For later in the evening, you will receive 2 VIP tickets to a screening party that includes a private viewing of the debut collection, a short film documentary on the designer and an intimate question and answer session after the film. As a VIP guest, you will get to sit at the table with the designer and the models for the viewing. Mix, mingle, sip and hors d'oeuvre with the designer and the models at our own private party in the Big Apple!

PLUS you will receive an 11x14 gorgeous editorial black and white photo from Class New York, shot by famed photographer Cyle Suez. This image is autographed and ready to be framed for your wall. It is a truly stunning piece of work and the designer has one very similar hanging on a wall in her home. Travel costs to New York not included.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $2,500 or more
About $2,500

“The Honorary Designer” package: QUANTITY OF THIS REWARD IS LIMITED AND ACCEPTANCE OF THIS REWARD REQUIRES YOU TO SIGN A NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT. This is the gift that keeps on giving! For starters, you'll be an honorary designer! See what it's like to design a collection. You will get to do a google hang out with the designer in a preliminary design session wherein you will help determine the designs for the next season! You will get to review sketches, fabrics, prints and color selections with the designer and weigh in. You will get to participate in a preliminary fitting where we first see the designs come to life! See a preview of the next season before it's released to the public! Additionally, you will receive 2 tickets to a screening party that includes a private viewing of the debut collection, a short film documentary on the designer and an intimate question and answer session after the film. Mix, mingle, sip and hors d'oeuvre with the designer and the models at our own private party in the Big Apple! Last but certainly not least, to top it all off, you will have YOUR VERY OWN PRIVATE fitting with the designer for YOUR VERY OWN ready to wear piece from the debut collection! Travel costs to New York not included.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $5,000 or more
About $5,000

“The Quintessential Designer” package: QUANTITY OF THIS REWARD IS LIMITED AND ACCEPTANCE OF THIS REWARD REQUIRES YOU TO SIGN A NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT. You will have one garment in the next collection named after you and you will receive that design fitted to you at your very own private fit session with the designer. You will get an exclusive photo shoot in the garment, including 5 retouched photos, with your very own hair and make up team. YOU WILL REMEMBER THIS EXPERIENCE FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY LIMITED ITEM. THIS IS TOTAL 'ROCK STAR' BIG TIME. Travel costs to New York not included.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $5,000 or more
About $5,000

“The Pundit” package: You have ARRIVED. You will have a very stylish lunch with the designer and her muse in one of the designer's favorite restaurants in the trendy Meatpacking District . You will then break to go on a shopping tour for two to some of the designer's favorite fashionable parts of town (also fabulous places for inspiration): Soho and Nolita! For later in the evening, you will receive 2 VIP+ tickets to a screening party that includes a private viewing of the debut collection, a short film documentary on the designer and an intimate question and answer session after the film. As a VIP+ guest, you will receive early arrival (a chance to hang during the pre-party mixer), you will get to sit at the table with the designer and the models for the viewing. Mix, mingle, sip and hors d'oeuvre with the designer and the models at our own private party in the Big Apple! Afterwards you will be invited to dinner with the design team. PLUS You will receive a 24x30... that's BIG...version of the gorgeous editorial black and white photo from Class New York, shot by famed photographer Cyle Suez, autographed and ready to be framed for your wall. This is a truly stunning piece of work, and the designer has one exactly like it hanging in her home. It is definitely an attention grabbing conversation starter! Travel costs to New York not included.